Monthly Archives: October 2016

Zack Berggren is the safety engineer for Pugh's Earthworks. Safety of employees is of utmost importance and Zack has achieved a near perfect safety record. Above is Zack showing off some of the safety equipment that field technicians wear. Some of the guidelines followed are listed below. General safety precautions for landscape workers in the field. Train workers to ensure that they understand all of the job hazards and can handle tools and equipment safely. Report unsafe working conditions or equipment to your supervisor. Identify and destroy harmful or noxious plants such as poison ivy. Protect against insects with insect repellents or protective clothing when needed. Use caution in areas where you may encounter wild animals or unfriendly domestic ones. Rest periodically during strenuous jobs such as digging or sawing: work-rest schedules vary according to temperature conditions, how strenuous the work is, and how acclimatized ("used to") the worker is to the workload. Make sure emergency telephone numbers are clearly posted or readily available. Know the location of the first aid kit and how to use the contents. Do not touch stray or dead animals. Contact an animal control agency for removal. Wear respiratory protection if you must clean up waste, leaves or dust that may contain mouse droppings. Mice can carry the hantavirus which can become airborne with dust and may be inhaled by workers. Be aware of expected weather conditions for the day, and plan accordingly. Have plans about where to go if severe weather hits. Know where to seek shelter in a thunderstorm (fully enclosed metal vehicles, with windows up or a building (not sheds). Learn proper hand washing techniques. Wash your hands thoroughly after before eating, using the washroom, or changing tasks (using different tools and/or different locations). Personal Protective Equipment Tips: Wear high-cut CSA certified safety footwear with toe caps and reinforced, non-skid soles. Use approved (e.g. CSA Z94.1) head protection when working under branches or where there may be falling objects. Use appropriate eye protection (safety glasses or goggles) whenever dust or debris may get into your eyes (eg. when power tilling, breaking up rocks or concrete) or when using strong cleaning agents, spraying or dusting. Wear sturdy, well-fitting gloves with grip. Use vibration-absorbing gloves while operating vibrating equipment. Wear suitable chemical-resistant rubber or plastic gloves when handling fertilizers and pesticides and other chemicals. Wear hearing protection devices (e.g., ear muffs, ear plugs) that provide appropriate protection from noise produced by equipment being used. Protect yourself from the sun - use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and re-apply sunscreen as required throughout the day. Consider wearing lightweight long pants (v.s. shorts) and long-sleeved shirts. Wear a brimmed hat and comfortable clothing that provides sun protection. Wear sunglasses that filter out at least 90% of the sun's ultraviolet rays. Take regular rest breaks inside. Frequent short pauses are better than longer breaks further apart. Do not wear loose-fitting or torn clothing.

As Tennessee’s capitol continues to develop, industry, tourism, and infrastructure are preparing for what is next. The August luncheon for the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association (GHNA) featured a discussion about the rapid growth of Nashville, particularly as it relates to hotels in the city. GNHA works to provide support and advocacy for all hospitality related businesses and serves as a leading educator in the Nashville area hospitality industry. Metro Planning Department Executive Director Doug Sloan spoke about NashvilleNext, the 25 year vision for the city. The plan, adopted last year by the planning commission, was a combined effort of 18,500 community participants. It focuses on the growth, development, and preservation of the emerging and ever-changing city. Sloan referred to NashvilleNext, a guiding force for Nashville’s future, where population is expected to experience significant growth 2040. The issues addressed in NashvilleNext anticipate solutions for the flourishing climate of the hospitality industry. “Our department by nature is a department of change,” Sloan said. According to Nashville.gov, the 25-year plan aims to: · Preserve our neighborhoods while building housing close to transit and jobs · Protect rural character and natural resources · Create walkable centers with jobs, housing and services in suburban and urban areas · Expand walking, biking and transit · Make our city affordable for all Nashvillians Nashville was named by Forbes as one of the top 16 destinations of 2016, and Nashville visitors spent in excess of 5.5 million dollars in 2015. The tourism-related field employs almost 60,000 metropolitan Davidson County residents. by Kristi Stephens Walker, Community Representative for Pugh’s EarthWorks

Ready to jazz up your curb appeal? Here is an easy 4-step plan: First, consider how the front of your business looks to passers-by. The façade of a building is the single most important factor determining its curb appeal. It’s the first impression that customers will see of your business. Attractive signage, uncluttered windows and fresh paint can go a long way in presenting your business at its best. Next, consider your signage. It should be in plain view and easy to read. It should also be made out of quality materials. Remember the old saying “you get what you pay for” and avoid cheap-looking material. Choose a sign that complements the business district that you’re located in. If you’re in a shopping center your sign should match the size, style and material of the other businesses in the center. And remember to check with your local permit office to learn if you need a sign permit. Take a look at your parking area. You’ll want ample, convenient parking on a paved lot with clear markings. Lots should be well-maintained; potholes should be fixed and faded lines should be repainted. If you’re located in an urban area with lots of asphalt and no trees, consider adding tree islands and evergreen shrubs. This can make a huge impact on your curb appeal while at the same time improving the environment. Remove grass that invariably grows in cracks next to curbs and sidewalks as well as in parking lots. Finally, keep landscaping well-maintained and well-manicured. Updating your business landscaping with simple evergreen shrubs can have a huge impact at relatively low-cost. Consider adding color to your site with knock-out roses. They’re hardy in a southern climate and are being used more frequently in privately-owned commercial projects as well as publicly-owned street medians. If you have Crape Myrtle trees on your property keep the “suckers” – all the new shoots that occur around the base of Crape Myrtle trees – trimmed away. And don’t forget to keep the public sidewalk in front of your business free from weeds, tree limbs and other debris. The Bottom Line For better or worse, your business will be judged by its appearance. Fortunately, your business’ image is within your control. Consider these tips and implement those your business needs and contact Pugh's Earthworks to help with your landscaping needs.

Pugh's Earthworks has a thriving office in Jackson, Mississippi. Apartments, cemeteries, hospitals and retail centers are some of the properties that Pugh's maintains. The challenge this season is unusually dry and hot conditions. Drought conditions have led to a burn ban in certain parts of Mississippi. Stress from the drought can take a toll on shrubs, turf and trees. In extreme dry conditions, turf will go into a dormant phase. Jeff Estridge is the manager of Pugh's Jackson office. He's been paying close attention to his properties in these challenging dry conditions. Dawson McCown, Regional Operations Manager, adds an additional layer of inspection with regular visits to all the properties. Pictured below is one of the beautiful properties Pugh's maintains in Jackson along with Jeff and Dawson as they discuss property conditions.

Oncoming spring in the landscape business means it's time to train and get prepared for the busy season. Pugh's Earthworks just held it's annual spring training and conference. Owners, managers and foremen attended the three day event and gained some great knowledge on current processes, industry trends and available products. The guys from SiteOne provided dinner one night and lots of info on the hottest products in landscaping. Pugh's is committed to staying abreast of the best ways to keep their customers happy and their properties in the best possible condition.